2006 Heart O’ The Mountain Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., $48. The grapes are de-stemmed into small bins, cold soaked for 6 days, fermented in small open top bins with manual punch downs. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in bottle before release. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark stone fruits dominate reflecting the clonal mix. A middleweight with welcoming tannins and acidity, a silky texture and a sidecar of toast and oak enhancing rather than detracting from the flavors which veer to the ripe end of the spectrum (picked at 25 Brix), but never cross the line to raisin. I only have one small nit in that the wine struggles for balance when it warms in the glass, revealing a touch of alcoholic heat. Reviewed March 15, 2009

Winery: Heart O’ The Mountain
From article: Tasting Santa Cruz Pinot Noirz